BAKER – D.J. Thomas scored two touchdowns and Adam Crowson threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead Baker to a 28-14 win over Sneads before a Homecoming crowd at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium on Friday.

Thomas scored on runs of 67 yards in the third quarter and two yards in the fourth quarter. For good measure he also blocked a Pirate field goal attempt in the third period that set up his long scoring run.

Thomas finished the night with 147 yards rushing on 25 carries.

Crowson was equally impressive running for 75 yards on just six carries and completing all five of the passes he attempted for 82 yards.

The Gators piled up 212 yards rushing and threw for another 87 as they controlled the ball throughout the game.

“Our guys played within ourselves,” Baker coach Matt Brunson said. I think we did what we had to do to win the game. Sneads has some big, athletic backs that we had to contain and I think over all our guys did what they had to do to win the game and I’m proud of our effort.

“Our offensive line was knocking holes, knocking holes and then D.J. had that big run and I think it had a lot to do with winning the ball game.”

Baker (4-3) scored first with 9:42 left in the second quarter on a 15-yard pass from Crowson to Austin Martin. The scoring pass capped a 7-play, 60-yard drive. Malcolm Griffith added the first of his four extra points to make it 7-0 Baker.

Sneads responded with a 61-yard scoring march that took 15 plays and knocked six minutes off the clock Tre Keys finished off the drive with a 2-yard run and Brian Moran added the extra point as the teams were tied at 7-7 atthe half.

It was Crowson and Thomas providing a one-two punch as the Gators opened the third quarter going 61 yards on six plays. Crowson did most of the work gaining 53 yards all on the ground including the last 26 for a touchdown.

Thomas finished off the scoring for the Gators first with his 67-yard run that came with 2:24 left in the third and finally with his 2-yard scamper with 5:40 left in the fourth as the Gators put the game out of reach.

Keys added another late touchdown for the Pirates with less than two minutes showing on the clock, but by then the game was well in hand and the fans were starting to celebrate the win.

The Pirates, who did not attempt a pass, ran the ball 47 times for 215 yards. Joe Boyd led Sneads in rushing with 84 yards on 15 carries.

Martin led Baker in receiving with three catches good for 46 yards. Kodi Nixon had two catches for 36 yards.

The Gators return to District 1-1A play next week when they travel to Jay to take on the Royals.

When you talk about Jay you have the attention of our guys so it should be an exciting week next week getting ready for Jay,” Brunson said.